Driven to succeed

MAGIC CONFIDENTIAL

Flying under the radar is one thing. Speeding under it as a 6-foot-8, 240-pound former NBA power forward is something else.

If anybody can successfully go undetected, it's Derek Strong, who barely uttered a peep when he played for the Magic from 1996-2000.

Strong quietly began a second career five years ago as a late-model stock-car driver. His goal is to race on the NASCAR developmental series by 2008, then take on the Nextel Cup boys by 2010.

Strong, 37, has raced at Orlando Speed World in Bithlo and New Smyrna Speedway, among other short tracks, managing a low profile as a black in a lily-white sport.

"I pretty much wanted to keep it on the down-low," said Strong, who has a home in Orlando. "I wanted to see if I could do it before I started running my mouth."

Now Strong is really talking it up as a typically frustrated racer. He needs about $2.2 million in sponsorship to get up to speed for driving a full season in the high minors.

He said he can line up E3Flix (a mail-order movies company) as a sponsor if he can attach a marquee name from the NBA, NFL, NHL or baseball to the venture.

Strong began racing go-karts when he was 8 in Southern California, setting up makeshift tracks using trash cans and old tires in parking lots. Then he literally grew out of the sport. A basketball career led him from Xavier University to an 11-year NBA journey with six teams.

"Racing was always in the back of my mind. I didn't really think I'd do it again. I was out of the loop," he said.

But after retiring from the NBA in 2001 he got the itch again. He attended several racing schools. In his first race, he finished 13th after starting 29th. Other strong finishes, particularly at Orlando Speed World, convinced Strong he could drive.

"The speed, that's a rush," he said. "But what intrigues me to it is how I can make a car go faster, the dynamics of it, the changes you can make."

The inherent dangers don't faze Strong. With the Magic, he stood up to Alonzo Morning in a playoff series and survived a near-death allergic reaction during a surgery.

A race in DeSoto Springs Speedway in Bradenton was memorable. Several cars crashed in front of him, forming a fireball. "It was like, `Welcome to racing,' " he said.

And Strong says that he has been welcomed into a traditionally white sport. He'd like to lead a push by African-Americans in stock-car racing. "I've been treated great," he said. "It's tough to break in and make the show no matter who you are."

THEY GOT NEXT

Wednesday: New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. No buzz around the injured Hornets after a fast start. They still have Chris Paul, heir to a point-guard throne shared by Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.

Friday: Golden State at Magic. Here's the Magic's luck: Allen Iverson is being fitted for a Warriors jersey just before tip-off.

Saturday: Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers. Christmastime with the LeBrons. The Magic's stocking won't be the only thing the Cavs will try to stuff after losing in Orlando.

PRESSURE POINT

What's this? The Magic haven't played a game in THREE whole days? The Magic get a break in a maddening schedule that has just about broken them.

They played 26 games in 46 days before their recent hiatus. Wonder if they'll have anything left at playoff time?

By the end of the calendar year, the Magic will have played 32 games -- the most in the franchise's 17-year history for the 12 seasons that began in November. They will have played 53 games by the all-star break (Feb. 15-19).

The NBA's hair-brained scheduling is seemingly exhausting and diluting its product.

KANGAROO COURT

Well, if you saw the boxing kangaroo taking on Stuff at halftime of the Magic-Phoenix Suns game, you witnessed the last live animal vs. mascot match the Magic will ever sanction.

The Magic received eight complaints via e-mail, including one from fan David McWhertor. "If I wanted to see animals abused for entertainment, I'd go to the circus," wrote McWhertor.

The Magic have apologized to anyone offended.

Word is the kangaroo's next opponent is Mike Tyson. But again, we wouldn't want to see an animal like Tyson abused.

SCOOP DOGG I

Magic power forward Darko Milicic said he will fulfill his mandatory military obligation in Serbia after he retires from pro basketball. And although some players appear tired after playing in the World Championship this summer, Milicic added that he'd continue to play for his country his entire career.

SCOOP DOGG II

During the Magic's West Coast trip, L.A. Clippers guard Corey Maggette -- formerly of the Magic -- told us he'd be thrilled to return to Orlando. Maggette has been the subject of trade rumors. "Write a headline for me," Maggette said.